The HBO series "Real Time With Bill Maher" went to pot – quite literally – during a visit from guest Zach Galifianakis on Friday.

Discussing California's Proposition 19 ballot, which aims to legalize marijuana use, the star of "The Hangover" noted that, "It's a tricky thing, politically, to jump on that bandwagon, because I think that maybe people see it as taboo still."

Galifianakis then pulled out a joint, lit it up, and began puffing away as host Maher and his panelists sat stunned and amused. The funnyman then handed the joint to conservative television and radio commentator Margaret Hoover, who took a whiff and assured the audience, "It's real."

The mellowed actor continued smoking as the panelists returned to the topic at hand, before shouting, "Oh my God, look at those dragons!"

soundoff(412 Responses)

Kim

No dopie,dupie dobie's allowed in School Buildings ! Drop out % to high already ! That's all we need next to coordinate with NCLB not funded and that's closing down American Traditional Public School Buildings. The next generation sells legal pot and gets high. Not ! Waiting For Superman ! Drink a slurpie and get over it.

To RAY, your ignorance is sickening. Nevermind this debate about marijuana, but how dare you make a medical condition; anxiety, seem like a sham to get a drug?! It has different levels of severity and can be debilitating.

And to te3hsupport I do agree with your views right until the part where you assume the mexican drug lords just peacefuuly step aside after MJ is legalized. Its a real threat, the cartel aspect of this, ask Arizona folks who live in fear for their lives each day due to the threat from the cartel. Get your heads out of the sand and see this for what it really is.

You are all being very narrow minded here. Its not about zach or mel or the physical impact of mary jane. Its about how legalizing it would make all of us look pretty stupid next time we preach about fighting the war on drugs. And by the way the killing machine called the Mexican drug cartel would be very proud of you for legalizing it and giving them even a stronger foothold in the U.S. So think about the real danger here. Its not the pot its the cartel at the top u need to worry about.

I grew up in a home where pot was smoked every day. I had a contact high from birth until 18 when I moved out. I'm far from lazy or dumb. I don't smoke pot. But I don't care if someone else does. Oh my parents a Lawyer and a flight attendant. If we would come out of every ones home,take care of our own we would all be better off.

Drugs, drugs, drugs, everybody is taken some kind of drug. Paxel, zoloft, adderral, ritalin,lipitor,lithium,etc. All of these can be dangerous, some of these drugs have killed..wake up America(from your ambien coma)all of you fat asses are drug addicts..think about it...wait for it...ahh, there you go...oh that sensation that your feeling..its shame.

Anybody who is asking the federal government to step in and seek reprimands against Mr. Galifanananaisiduiasfsfaks needs to get off of their soap box. "Live and let live. No more Big Brother Government looking over my shoulder." Isn't that what you conservative, tea baggers all cry out? Then stop being hypocrits and have that principle apply to everybody. My smoking pot isn't hurting you any more than your "nut-jobbiness" is hurting me. Let me be high, and I will continue to let you be nuts. As Jesus, "our savior" once quipped: "Do onto others as you'd have done onto you."

Zach G. was a virtual nobody before the hangover. So when he got the part I am sure he was like "HOLY SH&T! I'm in a movie with MIke Tyson and the guy from The Office." Now since he is an a-list actor he has morals to live by. How ironic.

Anyone who is against the legalization of marijuana is a moron, right wing nut job. Probably a brain washed person who believes in religious mythology. The banning of most drugs was done by right wingers who were concerned about the liberal movement because of the opening up of more creative and thought provoking parts of the brain that hallucinogenics open up. In other words they were worried about people looking at things from a different perspective from what they were told. That's what all of you neo con nuts fear. People who don't think like you.

Why don't you be a responsible parent then and advise your kids the dangers (or lack thereof) of smoking marijuana at an early age, instead of seeking to have the FEC bring a suit against HBO. If I was your kids, I'd probably need a joint or two.

here are some facts for you to consider: Granted much research is still be done on the long term effects of marijuana use. Here is what we know now: the fact is that pot is a complicated drug with a mixture of more than 400 different chemical components, where alcohol has a single drug molecule. 60 of the components are THC cannabinoids which is the main drug that effects the body & brain (i.e. the feel-good chemical), but once this chemical hits the brain, it breaks into 80 different byproducts before it can be eliminated from the body, which could take 3-5 days or weeks if you are a heavy user b/c it gets stored in fatty tissue mostly. It’s unknown right now what these chemicals are doing while sitting in the body that long. A bigger threat is the irritation to the lungs and respiratory airways since users tend to inhale pot deeply & hold it in the lungs for as long as possible. Pot DOES indeed contain cancer-causing chemicals (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) (source: doitnowfoundation). Please b/4 encouraging others to vote for this, find out the facts for yourself.

I really dont get the hype over this wanna be belushi...is hollywood so tunnel visoned that they stoop to remakes and resurecting charcter act alikes..??? the fact this dude actually believes that something he does makes a difference or an influence is a wet dream gone tragically bad...least gibson is a real ogiginal artist...the bearded fat geek even used mel for a 15 min publicity spot...had i been the producer i woulda thrown the newbies ass of the set and blackaalled the loser....respect and admiration of the public has to be earned with true talent....leave the coatails of the established artist alone swetheart...and get real...!!

John, sucks about your wife man but of course its self serving for you guys to advocate against it despite many reports dictating its more than good for everyone else. Maybe I should also advocate against alcohol cause it killed people I knew personally. Or for someone who died cause they had one beer and can't break it down. Or ban cigarette smoking cause some kid got a whiff and now is a smoker.

Alcohol and cigarettes are deadly. It could be argued for alcohol that it could be used responsibly – 1 beer, etc. But there is no responsible smoking. Keep dope illegal, make cigarettes illegal, execute anyone abusing alcohol.

This is from an anti-drug commercial from the 90's. Its called propaganda, and the idea of one joint twenty ciggarettes is completely false. All studies of cannabis have shown that it is devoid of any carcinigens, and therefor will not cause cancer. Freedom of speech means people can lie to you. Accept it, and you wont sound nearly as ignorant.

Cannabis does not cause cancer. Smoking cannabis could, but at a no more (or even equal) rate than smoking cigarettes. And thankfully for cannabis, there are dozens of alternative (non cancer-inducing) ways to get your high.

I'm worried about all those people driving to work everyday buzzed on all that prescription medication. Well someone please think of the Children. Why can't they have some too....it's great in cookies, and makes you feel better in no time... Wait a sec. Is that alcohol in that Cough Syrup? Tisk Tisk. Didn't mothers used to give their upset children different medicinal elixirs back in the days of Patent Medicines and then right after, when you'd regularly see Cocaine and Opiates for sale? I love those old drug adverts... you cans see some here:
http://www.pharmacytechs.net/blog/old-school-medicine-ads

The real argument for legalization is to put a responsible adult between children and the drug. At the moment, that situation doesn't exist. Kids can get weed FAR more easily than tobacco or alcohol. Why? Because the only source for it is other kids as a result of illegality. Why do people call it a 'gateway drug?' Because you have to go to a DRUG DEALER to get it.

Legalization will fix every single problem opponents claim should be reasons against it. Their own arguments defeat themselves.

You can be passionate about a subject. Just be passionate and LOGICAL. If your argument makes logical sense, defeating it will require illogical, prejudiced, religion-based, hate-mongering, pontification – that it should be illegal because it is illegal. It's easy cut the legs out from under idiots like that.

Hemp(marijuana) is a simple plant that God used to seed the world. It has long been useful to mankind, sailors made rope from it. It is not "folded, spindled or mutilated" like some products so when used in it's natural form, God must have intended us to enjoy it. Marijuana is not addictive! I smoke a joint about once every 4 or 5 years when offered thus can personally vouch that pot addiction is a fallacy and contrary to what anti-marijuana groups would have you believe. It does not lead to other, harder drugs. I do not take any drugs, prescription nor otherwise! Thus, another fallacy perpetrated on the ignorant. My nostrils are much more offended by a cigarette smoker. Cigarette smokers throw their burning stubs out car windows and shamefully litter our city streets while waiting in a turn lane. Marijuana smokers do not throw out stubs nor litter out roadways with their smoking debris. Alcohol is a legal substance, yet is far more devastating to our populis than any other. So, lets legalize marijuana and outlaw alcohol and tobacco! The world would be a far better place.

To all those who responded to my wife being allergic, a couple of clarification for the cynics to consider: a) we live in Santa Cruz, and unfortunately, we have had to experience illegal public use in order to have come to realize my wife's deathly problem with it (not trying to be dramatic, but it is a fact). B) Although illegal, people drink in public all the time. Our fear is that legalizing it will just increase public use, no matter what the law states. I will lett all the other comments simmer in its own ignorance.......

John, your argument fails for two reasons. First, as you've pointed out, some people will partake in public. They WILL BE BREAKING THE LAW, and if your wife went into anaphylaxis as a result, in theory they could be subject to criminal battery charges as well as civil liability to your wife. Now of course that's taking things a bit far.
Question for you: if your wife was allergic to peanuts, would you require everyone to not eat them when your wife is present?
I just don't see the frequency of people with anaphylactic reactions to cannabis smoke being of sufficient numbers to justify your position. Sorry.

American Citizens have been told LIES for decades by the U.S.Gov. In 1974 President Nixon had The Department of Health and Human Services contract The Medical College of Virginia to prove that marijuana harms people. The final report states that marijuana is non-addicting, is not harmful to humans and KILLS CANCER CELLS while protecting healthy cells. This aggravated Nixon who tried to hide the report and was successful for decades. Please go to:www.jci.org/articles/view/37948 where the Journal of Clinical Investigation posts a study by Spanish Bio-chemist led by Manuel Guzman on marijuana and cancer. The report states that a cannabinoid reduces VEGF which stops Tumors and Cancers from growing. It also states that THC the cannabinoid that gets you high causes Autophagy- the breakdown that occurs when the cancer cell essentially self-digest. A plant cannot be patented so Big Pharma cannot make the REALLY BIG MONEY that they are used to therefore, you are sold Chemo-therapy (POISON) and Radiation-therapy which kills more good cells than bad at GIGANTIC PRICES. Big Pharma has put so much money into Political PACs that Politicians loose any MORAL FIBER that they may once have had. STOP THE LIES, LEARN THE TRUTH and SPREAD THE TRUTH !!!

Pot makes many people lazy and unproductive and does lead to other drug use. I've seen it happen to a relative who is a totally different (and much better) person when he is not using. Unfortunately, I have had to attend many counseling sessions and learned much more than I ever wanted to know about pot and it isn't harmless. Different people react differently, but pot has negative effects on your brain and is very bad for a person and his family. Comparing it to booze is inaccurate unless you compare it to getting drunk each time. The only reason to use pot is to get high. A person can have a couple of beers and not get drunk. Pot is not harmless.

@zippy No. If your lazy and unproductive relative can't get his life together, how is that my problem? Maybe he should lay off the doob if he is going to use it as an excuse for his behavior. Alcohol, and this is a fact, has destroyed more lives and families than pot ever could. And yet it is still legal and should remain so because all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have a right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose. So save the lectures.

OK, Zippy, so you drink only Near Beer? Your statement that it's possible to drink a couple of beers and not be drunk might be true for a 100Kg person. So I guess beer has made you fat and alcohol tolerant.

People who are alcoholics are probably not going to change their drug of choice whether pot is legal or not. And I submit that anyone who is predisposed to become dependent (there is NO SUCH THING AS ADDICTION TO CANNABIS, IT IS NOT PHYSICALLY ADDICTIVE!!!) will find their answer in alcohol, pills, spray paint cans, or anything else they can find (legally or illegally) to self-medicate. The distinction is that pharmacologically, cannabis is relatively innocuous compared to those other alternatives.

Drink your beer till you keel. But don't go telling others what they can partake in when it doesn't affect you in the least.

I am highly allergic to most perfumes and colognes that people drown themselves in before coming to my office, shopping in the grocery store, strolling down the street...
can we please outlaw the perfume!?!?!

come on, read up!!! If we are "protecting" society.... OUTLAW ALCOHOL....AND GEORGE BUSH..... AND OBAMA'S HEALTH REFORM... not THAT is some dangerous stuff for America!!!!

Bill needs to check his facts! Muslims are not overtaking the western culture in America it the uk. The reason Mohammad is the most chosen baby name by Muslims anywhere is in no way connected to their representation as a force to dominate a population. Bill only 3% of uk citizens were Muslim in the 2001 census, and 78% were Christians! If Bill is afraid of 3% if the uk population – he better join that frigging tea party.

To PTU,,,,,,then why does Mel surround himself with Jewish lawyers and agents/Latino Writers for his movies,,,etc...,,,I thought if you were racist you wouldn't be caught dead hiring anyone you hated so much,,

You know....I've been to quite a few different places in my life and have known and loved some amazing people. I can't think of one who hadn't at least tried marijuana. Even my conservative mother tried it a few times to see what the fuss was all about. I generally find that people who are mortified by the idea that cannabis is horrible are droll followers lacking any curiosity whatsoever.

PK in the USA u need more proff than that. did u smell it, taste it or teset it, then u dont know what it was, they could have been lying to make a statment. if u dont like weed dont smoke it, but leave the people u do like it alone.. there are far worse things the this plant.. PLANT...

As I understand the current law. The person broke the current law & the host did nothing to stop this individual. I believe that is called aiding and abetting. This is the problem with this country we have laws for a reason, and even until they are changed, certin individuals who belive these law to be oppressive, don't abide by them and even flaunt them. This country is doomed to failure as long as the masses live the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law.

a drug is a drug!!!!! perhaps you should be voting to de-criminilize it ... with possesion over a certain weight. But then again, Americans can't just do the right thing, they have to go overboard! Just like the fool suing their employer, McDonalds because they gained 65 lbs from eating too kmuch. How stupid is that?

Wow, how shocking and irreverent. /yawn. If he wanted to do something really controversial, he should have gone on TV and drawn a cartoon of Mohammed. That will apparently get you in a lot more trouble than a little weed, these days.

for those comparing Mel Gibson to Mike Tyson, fperhaps you've forgotten the few choice things he had to say about Jewish people, not to mention his apparent affection for calling black people n******* and women c****, in addition to beating the crap out of her. And it all JUST happened. Tyson paid his debt to society many years ago. NO COMPARISON.

In college I smoked pot frequently. Now that I have kids, after I get them to sleep, I would like to have one or two little puffs, BUT I'm scared that if I get caught, the police will take my house, car, and kids...so I don't. I cannot drink as it hurts my stomach.

California is the place to be – ban violent video games – legalize pot , what's up with that. Sure the parents are going to wait until the kids go to bed, and not smoke in public places – yeh sure. Just as thenumber of DUIs have dropped to zero and kids don't get alcohol at home.

Yeah baby! Zach Galifianakis is my guy now. I want one of those joints and I will smoke at the front of City Hall of Los Angeles!!! Woo hoo!!!!! So, everyone vote Prop 19 and make marijuana 100% legal (no strings or loopholes attached)!!!!!

Yeppers....mike went to jail,completed his probation,debt to society paid...and seems to live his life better to this point.as for mel,we can't penalize for being an ass....MMK raciest are bad...MMK drunken outburst are bad MMK...threats of violence is bad MMK

Chris, how rude. I am an "old fart" which means I came of age in the 60's. I had a moderately successful financial life, a very successful spiritual growth and raised a wonderful daughter by myself. It was my generation that fought the initial battles. A little more appreciation and a little less blind denigration would be nice.

BTW Mel Gibson "IS" going to be in Hangover 2. Look Maryjane is not for all the druckin alchoholics of past generations who were too busy running over your kids and family members to look into pot as an alternative. I'm sure if they did there would be thousands of unfortunate children and family members that would still be alive. The people who make the laws are dinosaurs and don't want to admit that alchohol was one of the worst legalizations ever as far as a danger to people that didn't even drink the crap. Most of the same people that don't want pot legal have no idea how to even turn on a computer. They are not of this new generation where more is understood. They are the ones that told us to hide under our wooden school desks and it will protect us from a nuclear blast! No one seems to mind people getting run over every minute of the day as long as they can collect taxes from it. The only thing a pot smoker will cause is too slow of traffic as in "DRIVIN TO SLOW"......

So legalizing alcohol was a horrible piece of legislation, only legalized for tax profits, it causes us to lose our children due to DUIs.....I agreed with you up to this point and then you lost me by contradicting yourself by trying to justify making another horrible piece of legislation...legalizing another mind altering drug. The government should not be in the business of making money (taxes) off any type of drug that alters it's citizens minds. Who will be watching the children while the parents are "relaxing" in their own homes? Who will keep the kids from getting into their parents' "stash" when they are in the middle of "unwinding". How can you honestly tell your kids..."well, it's okay to do this drug, but don't do this one???" Get real, grow up, and be consistent in the message your sending your kids. Don't kid yourself into believing pot does not harm your brain....just wait, scientist contradict themselve everyday on which drugs do and don't harm you. Is life that difficult that the only way you can relax is to drug yourself?? Please, grow up already!
CA is doing what it does best......starts out with small steps (legalized medical marijuana first) and then pushes thru their true agenda!!

@Really- So don't smoke in your house, or around your kids. What other people want to do is none of your business. At all. Period.
I'm a 22 yr old who has been smoking since I was 16. I am highly motivated and make $80,000+ per year. It does not affect your brain like you claim. Idiot potheads who are already dumb to begin with give that impression, yes, but its simply not true. You are the problem with are society. You jump to conclusions based on what you think is right and you want to impose your beliefs on everyone else. Mind your business.

I know rocket scientists, billionaires, and nobel prize winners that smoke weed, they seem to be doing fine. If youre wondering how I know such a wide variety of important and exceptionally rare people that also do an illegal drug not very popular amongst adults its because I lie about people I know just to make a point.

P.S. the only reason it is illegal in the first place is because newspaper owners like Randolph Hearst also held large interests in the lumber industry. One acre of hemp plants can produce four times as much paper pulp than one acre of old growth forest. Hemp seeds also can produce an oil to lubricate your cars engine. Not to mention the damage it would do to Big Tobacco. And it doesnt cause liver damage, lung cancer, emphysema...

Frank, no one wants to go to Stillwell anyway. You can keep your booze and cigarettes; just don't mess with our weed. I would like to do an experiment though. I bet I could walk through your town smoking a blunt and you and your boyfriends would not do a thing. Put that in you pipe and smoke it.

If you think folks in Oklahoma don't know weed when they smell it, you are dead wrong. We aren't all a bunch of idiots here; in fact, most of us are a lot smarter than you dingbats from CA. Why the h___ do you people keep acting as if someone who doesn't want weed around, must sit on their butt with a 12 pack and a carton of Marlboros?! Maybe we don't smoke or drink either. I know I don't do either one, and I damn sure don't need any more pot in my family to make a mess of anything.

@Chuck: So since you don't use it, and your family doesn't use it, what's it to you if it's legal? Not strong enough to say no? Hmm, potato chips are addicting too (remember "Bet you can't eat just one!")

What a bunch of self-righteous morons. I guess HBO should strip search all the guests on Bill's show to make sure they dont fire anything up. Please. Bill's job would be in serious jeopardy if he hit that bomber. I dont have any kids, but if I did i would understand that they are going to make decisions regarding drugs and alcohol. It would be up to me to help them to make the right ones. I would rather my child not experiment with anything until they are old enough to make those decisions on their own, but that aint gonna happen. I would much rather have them decide to toke a little weed, than to drink alcohol. As a registered voter in Ca. I prefer the marijuana laws the way they are, but that doesn't mean that if they changed, it would make things better or worse. The beautiful thing about our system of Gov't is that we can make changes to laws and then re-visit those changes down the line to see if they were the right ones. Dont think for one second that the mexican cartels dont control a large portion of the marijuana growing in Northern Ca. They do. That money is funneled back to mexico. At this time, I am more worried about the safety of our citizens because of the non-stop violence and corruption in Mexico, than I am of anything Al-Queda could do. It would be very easy for them to get a dirty bomb, or some other WMD across the mexican border. Legalizing Marijuana will go a long way to stop the $$ flowing into Mexico, and in turn, help to strengthen the security on the other side of the border. "Legalize it, dont criticize it"....

Pot doesn't kill you end of story – I know because I would have died in college (over & over & over again). I don't do it now and it's downright silly to suggest the world will turn to fire and brimstone if it's legal, it's a WEED folks, an unprocessed herb from God himself if you will.

I am a very very liberal person politically, but pot should be illegal. I think all kinds of these drugs should be illegal, including alcohol. Thousands are killed by drunk drivers and drunks, and we want to add to that number by legalizing this crap? Are we gonna be a society full of addicts/unconscious people? Come on, this stuff was for the past. We are humans and evolved and this stuff shouldn't be in our societies anymore. We need to be clean. If you smoke this, do you expect to get a job or do you expect companies to change their laws for you so you can show up high every morning or take a join break like for cigs?

Its not like people dont smoke it now jeeze everyone thinks making it legal will inspire the masses to run out and light up a joint lol what idiots ...those that smoke now will continue to smoke those that dont will not smoke,, nothing will change except that the gestapo will not be able to lock you up....

No there will be other changes too: More jobs from all the dispensaries/farms that will open up, more tax money, a decrease in violence from Mexican druglords, and open jail cells for violent criminals.

Oh, and to James, I'm quite certain there's some conservatives that secretly would like to see it pass, they just have to tow the party line in public or be punished for it later come re-election.

i believe u are the imbecile sir for the fact that u believe we should be suffer and be punished for smoking when alchohal is way worse. oh and here is a little fact, like prohibition, u cant silence our voice forever

To bad proposition 19 is not a national vote that would be great to let everyone vote yes or no once and for all but politicians dont care what we think......the are like an ostrich with head in sand or up someone elses butt.....

How old is the writer of this article? I haven't smoked a joint in over thirty years but I know its still called a "hit" not a puff! Try and get someone over 50 to do articles on these subjects. The kids just don't get it. On the subject matter, I quit because it made me lazy...not stupid.

I was going to vote yes, but I changed my mind because it would mean living in a perpetual cloud from my neighbors. Who would, yes, be smoking it in their home (or on their patio). For those who cannot see the difference between smoke and peanuts, do you inhale peanut fumes every time your neighbor enjoys a PB&J? No? What a stupid comparison.

No, but I inhale second hand smoke, the effect of which has been proven to cause cancer in those who don't smoke. Smoking that poison is legal, and if I have the misfortune of living in an apartment bldg. where people smoke in their homes, then it seeps to me too. Your argument doesn't hold to much weight either.

The actor just proved that marijuana should NOT be legalized. The whole purpose of legalizing weed is for MEDICAL reason, for people that suffers constant pain. This actor just proved he is using weed JUST TO GET HIGH. If the proposition is passed, most users will be for NON-MEDICAL.

People drink just to get drunk...so that isn't really a good argument. Of course people smoke to get high! The law has nothing to do with medicinal marijuana, and everything to do with "I'm over 21 so I'm going to smoke a doobie, and buy a beer."

Proposition 19 specifically dictates that marijuana may only be smoked in residential or private quarters, or within organizations which have specifically retained a license to purchase, distribute and sell marijuana. Anyone who is deathly allergic to marijuana smoke need not to worry, smoking in public is not lawful.

Regarding people's opinions, I do agree marijuana is a great way to waste your time, money and intelligence. But so is alcohol, TV, concerts, etc. I don't personally smoke marijuana, but I don't have a problem with it. Many who oppose the controlled legalization of marijuana usually oppose it based on a mis-representation of the product and ideas based on irrational fears of a substance they are not familiar with, or an idea which has been ingrained in their brains from an early age on.

I don't live in California- but if I did, I'd be voting in favor of Proposition 19.

OK, we've all heard the recent story about college students drinking Four Loko and what it did to them, (though to be fair some said they were spiked with drugs but I don't know that any conclusive evidence confirmed that). How many pot smoking parties ended up that way?

Great point. Four Loko is meth in can, but it's good old booze so it's legally. I've been to college parties where four loko is consumed and it is a sh!tshow. A person isn't qualified to tie their own shoes after downing a can of that stuff.

I don't think people realize what a good idea this could be. This being legal will save the state money as well as create jobs. sure its going to be regulated like crazy but as long as it has laws and rules to go along with it just like alcohol and tobacco products do i see not problem what so ever. Now i personally have never done the stuff nor do i want to. I like to be in control of my own mind. It's just i see this idea saving the courts and state a lot of money as well as creating jobs.

So, the comment consensus appears to be that smoking marijuana is useless and the one who engage in it the most are also useless. That would go for any number of subjects (target practivce with a handgun or owning an AK-47 are right up there). So, there is no logical reason it is illegal. None. Like everything else in this country, some will abuse it. If we outlaw stupidity, I am afraid that Bill Maher would still be free. But there are a number of right wing pundits who might not make the cut. As far lighting up live on TV? Makes a good point – more people are concerned about the effect of second-hand smoke than they are about the content of said smoke. Legalize it and tax it. I would rather have that revenue paying for health care, say, than for guns for Mexican cartels (supplied by dealers in the US) – wouldn't you?

Legalize it. All arguments against it are either made up or inflated to the point of distortion of facts. Prohibition did not work for alcohol and it certainly doesn't work for marijuana. Pursuit of happiness is our right as American citizens yet we allow the rights of people to be subjugated to the will of others, stifling their freedoms.

I applaud him for his gesture real or not. It was well said and well done.

I do not smoke myself but I recognize the fact that I do not have the right to tell someone else they cannot.

Just because something is a law does not mean that it is my obligation to follow it. Laws are very often unjust. So we must fight to overturn these laws, not blindly follow them because they're "laws". I know there are consequences involved in fighting them but everything comes at a cost.

Meanwhile there are people around America doing jobs where they have to act responsibly in order to protect the lives of their co-workers and keep productive in their workplace. It's not like Bill Maher is responsible for anything other than putting his smug, narcissistic face on television. My experience has been pot smokers are the least likely to be good workers and the most likely to be all round brain dead, hence the reason for the laws.

Entertainers, for the most part, get away with this stuff because they are more than likely called upon to play the fool. Zach Galifianakis is playing to type, so there's no surprise there.

Bill Maher – raising kids? Nope. Doing good works in the community? Nope. Naw, he just hangs out at the Playboy mansion. Vacuous waste of chromosomes, which is basically what smoking pot is all about.

So I guess you would call Carl Sagan, Obama, Clinton, Michael Bloomberg, and hundreds of other successful (an inarguably smart) people brain dead? Pot heads aren't the least likely to be good workers, lazy people are. And pot does not make you lazy. Being a bum makes you lazy. Sure, maybe pot amplifies laziness, but so does alcohol, TV, and videogames. The problem lies in the fact that those bad workers simply did not have a work ethic from the start. Don't be an idiot.

Also, I don't smoke marijuana but come on people think of the benifits for our economy.
If I had a choice of seeing somebody smoking pot and driving 20 miles a hour or somebody drinking alcohol and driving 100 miles a hour.

Tax it and legalize it–the foolish refer madness business only caused folks to make more potent MJ.

We need to govern our choices and life–not be ruled. My brother is a drinker and its eating him away–I would strongly prefer him to have a joint versus a beer. He just has one of those personalities–addictive.

So what do you think is really more destructive to our lifes–beer and MJ–or the absolute raping of our financial system? Ive heard so many stories about folks having to come out of retirement or just plain giving up..... If we really want to go after something that is ruining our country–take a look at the Legal system, Political System, and fleecing of American citizens.

for all the people calling out double standards for Zach working with Tyson and not Mel, do realize that Zach and the rest of the cast probably had not a lot of say in who else was being casted for the movie back then. Sure they could have refused to do the movie but WHO THE HELL WOULDN'T.

That's exactly WHY it makes him a hypocrite. He won't stand up for what he proclaims is the right thing when it might cost him a part in a hit movie, but when he knows he has job security in a movie and standing up for what he thinks is right won't cost him anything, THEN he'll do it. Personally, I'd love for them to cast Mel simply to see if dope boy here would stick to his guns and pass up a few million for his "values". 10-1 odds he won't.

I'd be willing to bet that the majority of the people here that are strongly against pot have some drinks from time to time.
If you took the time and got your heads out of your asses you'd realize that pot is safer than alcohol in almost every way

I used to support for legalize marijuana before. I used to take a marijuana and I learned that I didn't feel great at work, feel lazy and not motivation at work. I fed up and quit marijuana and back to tracking on my job and feel back to normal. I realized that isn't good idea to support legalize marijuana. It will affect more problem with teenage kids and their lifestyle go crazy. People will give teenagers to use legalize marijuana and affective their education and their future careers. I am still not support for legalize marijuana period.

Really Brian?? first of all you probably smoked some bad weed because the weed i smoke helps me stay motivated, creative, happy(obviously), more focused, and completely relaxed.. if you didnt smoke that bobby brown weed you would understand....

Wow, Dude, wonder how well you would speak the language of another country if you chose to move to one. Oh, that's right, you would be layin' around high and demanding everyone speak English, right? At least Brian is working on his English and giving his opinion, but since it doesn't match yours, he gets insulted. Great show for your side, yeah.....

I love how so many people here are personally offended by someone on a the set of a TV show, probably hundreds of miles from their homes, lighting up a J. How many of you who are against pot enjoy a few (or maybe even more than a few) alcoholic beverages on a regular basis? Well my judgement eyes are now glaring at you because alcohol is nothing more than a dangerous drug capable of ruining lives and families. See what I did there?

All of you who keep saying he is a hypocrite for working with Mike Tyson and not Mel Gibson need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. If you think that decision is based on morals alone, I think you are high. It's hollywood. Why would anyone want to connect themselves to Mel Gibson right now. Did anyone see the preview of the first Hangover and say "Nope, not gonna see it...Mike Tyson is in it". Hardly. No one cares about Mike Tyson anymore or what he did. Mel Gibson is still pretty fresh in our minds. That's a risk to associate yourself with him right now.

There is nothing wrong wit weeeeeed. New study jus published yesterday says alcohol is worse than crack and heroin. And zack smoked a J, big deal. Never smoked so much weed I blacked out, or blacked out or got violent.

Let's face it, Pot will never be legalized. It's been tried, convicted, and condemed for the past 70 years. The only way to put the argument to rest is to criminalized Alcohol and Tobacco use as well. Those two are more addictive and a lot more deadly then pot. And while were at it lets get rid of caffeine and sugar because they can be misconstrewed as amphetamines. I SEE DRAGONS!!!

My 18 year ol sone was pulled over for a back tail light out. When he opened his glove compart of his car they saw a pipe and a little bag with a bud in it. He was charged with a DUI and put on probation. While he was on probation a judge ordered a UA and he tested positive for THC, and he was sentnced to 30 days in jail(10 for probation violation 20 for testing positive for THC. Now he is probation for 1 year can use, or drink anything. If he fails a test he will automatically be sent back to jail. So they are concequences for using pot dont let anyone fool you and those consequences can ruin your entire life.

You realise that is the problem. You're lucky they didn't beat or shoot your son. All for pot, which I smoke every single day. I'm also a professional researcher (molecular biology, proteomics). It doesn't hurt you, cause illness or make you dumb.

Everything they say that's negative about it is hogwash. But they'll kick your ass and throw you in a jail cell for it. This has to stop.

Your son shouldn't break the law and he certainly shouldn't violate probation if he does. I've been there, done that. Hopefully he will learn a lesson like I did. Hopefully he can have his record expunged in a couple years, only costs about $2500 in lawyer fees, but its worth it if he was convicted of a felony.

But because your son broke the law and made his life a bit more difficult doesn't mean pot should be illegal. Pot ruins lives because of its legality, not because of what it can do.

I don't smoke pot anymore, I just don't have the time to smoke something that kills my motivation, but I don't have anything against it or the people that smoke it, although it is never ok to be high while driving.

Ray, my point I was trying to make is the pot is not always the fun innocent drug it is made out to be. It can cost you alot both finanically and emotionally. I am not condoneing what my son did and he is more then taking responsiblity for what he did.....but we are sending mixed messages to these teenagers about this drug. It should either be legal or not leagal and should be the same whatever state you go to...

I agree he should not have broke the law. What they charged him with were simple misdemeanors..I wish we lived in a state where your records could be expunged, but we do not..So these will stay with him his entire life and effect his chances of getting any kind of a good job.. What I want to try to get across to people, especally young kids, is if you chose to smoke pot, and get caught, and yes nobody thinks they will but you do, it could effect your entire life..

Redhead, I'm still confused by your post. If anything, your post shows that the reason pot ruined your son's life is BECASUE IT IS ILLEGAL. Thus, by passing Prop 19, it won't be illegal (at least as far as California is concerned) and all of those things your son got busted for would not have happened, unless he was actually driving under the influence. In the latter case, it wasn't the pot – could just as easily been booze – that caused your son's bust.

Look carefully, everyone, redhead mom doesn't ever say her son lives in CA. It is entirely possible he lives in one of the other 49 states. She says his record can't be expunged, therefore will follow him the rest of his life; that's true in lots of states.

I am very much against pot smoking, never done it ever. (so yeah I know don't knock it till you try it...) Though I don't really care what others do in their own time and place, I think something like this stupid. I probably will still find some of his stuff funny, but now I just look at him and don't think the same.

One other thing that I find hilarious about this issue is that one of the main opponents of the proposion is the city of Humboldt. They are famous for being a stoner town with people growing everywhere and are worried there "way of life will be ruined". It's hilarious to read and hear people have sympathy for them considering they are career criminals.

People don't go to jail for being alcoholics they go because of stupid decisions they made while drunk. The government has no place dictating morality. If weed was legal the same people who now make a choice not to smoke will still not smoke when it's legal. I don't need the law to enforce the teachings and morals I pass on to my boys. Raising good healthy people is not the governments job. As parents that's our job......prohibition failed long ago and our government continues to lie to us.....stop the madness YES ON 19!!!!!!!! CA

Not true. People that are law abiding citizens don't smoke pot now because it is illegal. Legalize it and you will see an increase in its usage. I have never read a report that suggests that pot is worse than or better than alcohol, that wasn't paid for by someone with an agenda. I have smoked pot as a teenager and would do so again if it was legalized. I would much rather take a few hits off a joint then drink a six pack.

Think you can outsmart someone who placed 74th in the world in intelligence? NoSuchThingAsAnOpinion
http://nosuchthingasanopinion.weebly.com/1/post/2010/10/whats-the-deal-with-hate-crime-punishment.html

To all you that state "if he has a prescription he's legal" you all conveniently ignore the fact that a prescription DOESN'T make it legal. Federal law ALWAYS trumps state law and marijuana is still ILLEGAL in the United States regardless what the state law says. Furthermore, I live in California and I can tell you that the whole "medical license" thing is a big sham. I know dozens of people with "prescriptions" and not a single one of them has a real health problem that requires they smoke dope to cure them. Anxiety, and minor muscle pain does not require you to smoke weed to feel better.
Persoanally, I hope the proposition does pass because all the weed smokers are living a dream if they think the federal government will allow one state out of 50 to have it legal. I guarantee if it passes the DEA will start sweeping the state of all the criminals that think they can smoke weed to cure there "anxiety". In the end prop 19 will ruin what they have right now in the "medical allowance".

About 3-4 months ago the DEA made a public statement that would NO LONGER spend time, money and other resources on prosecuting crimes involving pot. Then just last week they said they would. Which one is true? If this sticks in California, other states will follow and the DEA will be DOA.

I remember when the same was said about gay marriages not being upheld. this may not be the final nail in the coffin, but its a start in the right direction. the dispensaries around me charge 9% tax, have cooking, growing and general education class to inform the public. Weed has had so much propaganda over the years that it needs to overcome. i love living in northern cali – i have the best wine and the best weed so suck on that other states

Arrested? Seriously? Ok well let me put this out there for you.. Oh yeah, I am quoting numbers and facts so I guess I am a pothead? (From a previous poster)
Let's say we put this guy in jail for smoking a joint. To place someone in jail for 1 year costs 35k to 40k depending on the state. Yes I know no one would be in jail for a year on a simple pot bust, but I think the point is clear. Why spend our tax dollars to put a person in jail for simply consuming a plant? It is a choice, just because you do not like it does not mean it should be prohibited for everyone. By the way (another number fact) over 800k people were busted for pot last year, why don't you put that in your pipe and smoke it!!!

The point is it is ILLEGAL at this point in time. Anyone that chooses to defy a current law, regardless if they think it is right or wrong, is a criminal. I personally don't care if it's illegal or not. What is ridiculous is hearing about people who choose to break the law and then whine about being charged with a crime.

@Ray, anyone who chooses to follow an unjust law, merely because it is a law, is a coward and a fool. This country is based upon defiance. Have the balls to make your own decisions, and live with the consequences.

Watched the whole show and that part was HILARIOUS...thought Maher was gonna take a puff too but I think he figured he shouldnt since he was "working" lol..Pot is one of those things that is always gonna be taboo to some in the US but 20 years from now it will probably be legal for medical use in a majority of states its only a matter of time

Actually, who cares if he did smoke weed? Who else is it affecting? Please save me the whole chain reaction, "he's supporting drug lords, blah blah blah..." trite redundancy. MIND YOUR BUSINESS!!!! The world would be a better place if everyone did

I didn't like Zach much, because I see him as a personification of a double standard (men in Hollywood can be fat and slovenly, but not women). After watching him light that spliff, I like him much better. Even if it wasn't really pot, it was both funny and made a point, that point being "lighten up, folks, what is the big deal?"

Dear "Denizen Kate is a Dummy" - you are obviously the same bone head who signed in comments above as "POT HEADS ARE LOSERS" - I can tell by your "tone" and your bad grammar. Once again, let me state that I hope you are not a teacher. Children get enough misinformation already.

Cannabis is far less damaging biologically and emotionally than alcohol or tobacco, yet these substances are legal. How are kids being killed by pot? Could it be because they must acquire it from drug dealers, who are usually unsavory characters? Because alcohol and tobacco are legal and therefore regulated, it is easier for kids to get pot. Do you really not see the benefits of legalizing it?

Cenizen Kate, I don't know where you live, but where I live, kids are dying frequently because of the use of marijuana. One reason is that it is not their grandma's MJ; it is stronger and mixed with other things to make it give a bigger "high". Sometimes that high results in death–around here, about once a week. Also, the kids start smoking weed and next thing you know, they are either dropping out of school, and/or stealing from everyone they can to support their habit. They drive high and die in accidents and we bury them. You people can say it doesn't bother anyone and it's harmless, but that's just not what a lot of the families around here see. We see our kids lives destroyed and ours, too. Kids who were once successful and happy ending up sitting on a sofa, dropped-out losers, or dead. Don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about; I've seen it in every school I've worked in.

I smoked it as a kid and when I was still a young adult without responsabilities. I have friends who still do. Some are squared away and manage thier lives well, some are not. I hope it gets legalized. Not because I want a bunch of stoned people driving around feeling lazy and happy. But because I think it will reduce crime, especially on the border. Its already here, the prisons should keep cells open for violent criminals, we could keep the money here instead of other countries.

Whooo, hoo, yeah! COOL, man! How "progressive"! Real statement ya made there. Can't wait to see someone shoot up next. At least I want to see a news anchor sipping a double bourbon on the rocks during a broadcast.

uh yeah that looked pretty stupid. Ah yes so because we have an actor, like this, he is worth listening to. I love how dolts think those in the entertainment world, and well the entertainers themselves think this as well, are the voice of reason. And just how many in the entertainment world are addicts, in and out of rehab, on whatever drug, sniffing, snorting, shooting, popping, oh yeah they are truly the beacon and enlightenment. LOL Lets all be like that. Such role models.

For the retards posting *it's not illegal if he has an Rx* – while that might be true – you have to PROVE that he had an RX, from the context of the show, I'm not buying that he did. And IF he did – then do the rest have RX for the joint? You know the RX that he so gladly offered a hit to? Because if not, then that is distro of a controlled substance.

Regardless of your stance to dumb down ppl by making this legal (and yes, I'm on the bandwagon to get it legal – because of verious reasons) today, it's not legal to everyone. Therefore, it is hypocrtical of him to say anything to anyone that does illegal things, regardless of how badly the instance might be.

I've never heard of anyone getting an attempt to distribute charge for offering someone a hit. The one thing he may have done that was illegal is smoke inside, I know where I live it's illegal to smoke anything inside anywhere in public (including outdoors in many parks)

As a former police officer I would like to see pot legal. It waste' too many man hours for something that is less dangerous than cigarettes or alcohol. Let the police go after the pill and crack dealers with the time saved.

Using your logic I could state the opposite. Just about everything can be hazardous and cause harm. Cars in general but also even over consumption of water can kill you. Too much refined sugar? diabetes anyone? So tell me why shouldn't everything be illegal and only available via subscription? Hmm maybe thats where we should head. People can only do and consume the things authorized by a 'professional'. sounds good doesn't it?

I keep seeing people say it's not illegal if he has a prescription. Well does he have a prescription? Have you seen it? If he can't produce something that shows his name and a prescriber then it is illegal and he should be arrested.

The Law is the Law and from what I see it's still illegal to possess pot without a prescription. As for everyone saying Pot should be legal, it's just as bad as alcohol. Have you ever seen anyone driving while being high on pot? I have and it's not safe because reaction times are close to the same as being drunk. And as for the guy saying I'm not a cop to mind my own business, how do you know I'm not?

Nate – I could care less if you were a cop, just as I could care less if he has a prescription. When someone takes a Xanax, do you stop them and ask if they have a prescription? What business is it of yours what others do with THEIR bodies? Now, I DO agree that folks shouldn't smoke and drive, simple. It's NOT as dangerous as drinking and driving, but it is substantially impairing, which means it should stay illegal to drive while using.

"What I say I saw I saw!
I know my rights!
I know the law!"
- Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

Nate, honey, lighten up. Even if a cop were on set at the time and felt duty-bound to enforce the law, a citation less than that issued for speeding would have been the result. We're long past the days when a joint would get you arrested and put in jail.

Also, according to the police officers of my acquantance (yes, I have friends in low places), nearly all DUIs are issued to people under the influence of alcohol. Pot smokers generally stay home, order a pizza and pop in a Sci Fi movie. If they do go out, and their driving makes it obvious that they are inebriated, they are subject to the same DUI laws as those driving drunk.

This must have just about killed Maher who is an avid pothead. I'm sure he would have loved to take a hit too. As you will recall, Maher smoked a joint on camera in his Religulous film while he conducted an interview in a pot cafe in Amsterdam. Additionally, I know this is not my imagination–Lawrence O'Donnell had that "Hey! I want a hit, don't bogart that joint, my friend written all over his face. He looked like he was about to crawl over the table top to get to it.

OMG!!! LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE DRAGONS!!!

heh, heh, heh! Good stuff....

Marijuana: Totally legal in my pad for half a century and still going strong!

It wasn't real people. I watched the overtime part of his show online. As soon as they were about to start you could hear the woman say, "Oh thats why is smells like it". if was a prop and skit for the show nothing else.

I think that was kind of a silly move. Kind of an in your face move that hurts more than helps. Similar to causes like gay marriage – Adam Lambert in your face silliness. You might be completely OK with it – but to others it is a major shock to the system. Just use care and over time you'll eventually win change.

I sort of agree. It was a obvious shock jock (only for TV) sort of thing that I don't think had the effect they were going for. I understand what he was trying to prove. I just don't think he really did that. People have already pretty much already decided their view and changing views (even ones not based on fact) are not going happen based on one incident and done in such a manner.

I remember some actor doing the same thing on the Johnny Carson show in his final season. Bill Hurt maybe? Johnny took the joint, looked at the camera, said 'What the heck, I'm quitting!", and took a long drag!

I quit smoking pot when I grew up and realized how dumb it was making me and how it negatively affected my health. If I could live my teen and young adult years over, I would make better choices on how to spend my time and money. Life is short, getting high just wastes what little you have.

Well good for you Eric. I guess it affects some differently. I've been doing it for 25 years and am now retired at 47, so not too shabby. I surf, go to the gym, (many body builders smoke), and run 3 miles a day, and of course NEVER around the kids, but it hasn't affested me adversely at all.

"I bet you were sorely disappointed when you realized that its not pot that makes you dumb."

I bet you will be sorely disappointed when you realize your comment was dumb given not everyone is the same and drugs affect people differently. But nice bullying tactic against Eric because he quit. I guess you must know Eric intimately to know exactly what he was like when he smoked up.

The argument that smoking pot makes you dumb or lazy is absolutely ludicrous. I know plenty of people who do it and are perfectly functioning members of society: intelligent, successful, active – it in no way effects their ability to function. In fact, the valedictorian of my high school class was an avid weed smoker. However, I know plenty of people who don't smoke it and are mind-numbingly lazy, not to mention dumb as rocks. While it is true that there are pot smokers who are lazy, to say that they are lazy because of weed is idiotic.

Good Job Eric. I work at a high school and see dozens and dozens of kids every year drop out for marijuana usage. It wreaks havoc on your body. I have seen kids get killed over pot. It is NOT a joke. Any moron like Denizen Kate who tries very pathetically to lump it in with occasional alcohol use is a complete tool. You know NOTHING about the damages of pot use. Please do not procreate because we don't need any more losers like you around.

Hate to break this to you, but Marijuana will not make smart people stupid. You probably started out stupid. I know many geniuses personally who smoke it regularly (PhDs, engineers, etc). I know people who make millions, who smoke it regularly. I smoke it regularly and I'm doing just fine. Alcohol will dumb you down significantly, but marijuana can open minds, make creative people more creative, but lazy stupid people will probably get lazier and dumber.

@amanda the only people I know that smoke pot are complete idiots, and they smell bad, probably because they get high and then forget about things like hygiene. There may be a few smart people that smoke pot but if you see a smelly loser then theres a 90%+ chance that they do drugs, its pretty much guaranteed, you simply cannot find a smelly loser that isnt a staunch pot supporter. The whole "I know productive people that smoke pot" excuse is a myth, they may be productive by pot head standards but not by normal people standards. I know people that support legalizing it that arent losers, but they dont actually smoke it.

I know rocket scientists, billionaires, and nobel prize winners that smoke weed, they seem to be doing fine. If youre wondering how I know such a wide variety of important and exceptionally rare people that also do an illegal drug not very popular amongst adults its because I lie about people I know just to make a point.

@blah -" all the people you know who smoke pot?" You dope (pun intended) – if you know they smoke pot and are so self-righteous, find new friends.... real simple. Even you should be able to figure it out! No one that I know who smokes pot forgets to bathe. I think it's more the type you hang with than it is that they might smoke pot. Have you sniffed your own pits lately? Maybe it's you.

All drugs can have different effects on some people. Eric obviously had many adverse symptoms that he felt were negative and made the proper and informed choice to avoid them. I have problems with caffeine that most don't and have come to a simlar conclusion about it. that is called making a mature and informed decision. Those that are bashing him for realizing the detrimental effect it had on him isuncalled for.

At the same time, I would NOT advocate that people not use caffeine and claim that my symptoms as the standard which to judge the drugs effect on as many other don't seem to exhibit the same effects. Avoiding caffeine is a personal choice not one I would demand others make. although Eric didn't really seem to be making that statement...it seemed to me he was just sharing his experience and his view on what conclusions he, personally, came to. Unless I missed something from the post.

Ok you forced me to respond. I can't belive people still try this type of argument. Here's another one.

Did you close to 100% of rapists and murders have been found to have drunk milk? And even had been show to have eaten bread? Many have been show to have eaten pizza or some other food with tomatoes in it. I think you can see where I am going with this. The lack of logic on this and any "hot button" issue is staggering.

My support from legalization comes from the lack of honest and sound argument for keeping it illegal and not regulating it.

You are right. smoking is not for everyone, some of you have addictive personalities, some of you just dont have the right chemical make-up to handle this substance. More power to you dude, but I'll just keep toking, if you dont mind.

this site has a poll that asks if he should be punished. you win 100 Facebook credits if you can predict the result. http://apps.facebook.com/rocketpolls/Should-Zach-Galifianakis-be-punished-for-smoking-a-joint-on-a-live-talk-show

If this was filmed in LA... Can't go to jail for smoking a joint in Cali any more dood. Self righteousness problem solved. :)
It's now a more expensive ticket to get caught on a cell phone while driving than it is to have up to an ounce of weed. So if you'll drive and be on the phone, you're more of a 'criminal' than Zach.
I'll smoke to that. :)

My intolerance and hatred towards hate is not hypocrisy. If the world were intolerant towards these people it would instantly be a better place. It is hate and intolerance that is the problem. If they are not spouting it I will not hate them for it. Mine is a reaction to their action.

Wow... I don't even smoke pot, and I'm aware that Marijuana possession is a misdemeanor in every single state, even if he didn't have a prescription. Get a clue buddy. I also support the legalization of marijuana. The revenue will help small local businesses and the taxes (much like many other vices) to help the local governments. (Example: In Illinois, cigarette taxes go directly to supporting education funding.)

And I light a tobacco cigarette on the show and no one will die, will you agree it's harmless too? Meanwhile the guy willingly violated the existing law while doing it on the national TV, which only shows how stupid and disrespectful the pothead is.

No, not HARMLESS vr, just a lot LESS harmful than it is portrayed as. Using cannabis responsibly is FAR safer than alcohol OR tobacco. Pot cannot kill you! Tobacco can, AND WILL!
The illegality of pot is as sensible as the laws preventing women from voting 100 years ago. They're archaic, anachronistic, and totally counterproductive. The VAST majority of cannabis aficionados are hard-working, tax-paying, America-loving CITIZENS, who simply want to relax with a SAFER alternative to alcohol or tobacco.
Your cigarette would have raised the chances of others around you getting lung cancer, NOT SO for cannabis.
Though driving should remain illegal if you are high, it DOES affect your judgment, and will endanger others.

@FRED
Please do some research on what pot can and can not do to the body before encouraging people to vote for this law. Granted
much research is still be done on the long term effects of marijuana use. Here is what we know now: the fact is that pot is a complicated drug with a mixture of more than 400 different chemical components, where alcohol has a single drug molecule. 60 of the components are THC cannabinoids which is the main drug that effects the body & brain (i.e. the feel-good chemical), but once this chemical hits the brain, it breaks into 80 different byproducts before it can be eliminated from the body, which could take 3-5 days or weeks if you are a heavy user b/c it gets stored in fatty tissue mostly. It’s unknown right now what these chemicals are doing while sitting in the body that long. A bigger threat IS the irritation to the lungs and respiratory airways since users tend to inhale pot deeply & hold it in the lungs for as long as possible. Pot DOES indeed contain cancer-causing chemicals (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Please b/4 encouraging others to vote for this, find out the facts for yourself.

WOW!!.. This moron will whine and complain that he does not want Mel Gibson in Hangover 2 because of his tyrades and such... But yet he will blatantly do something totally illegal on a Nationally televised show like smoking a joint? Pot calling the kettle black...

I voted to legalize but I'm not hopeful since there are so many hicks that moved to CA.
And no matter how funny Zach is here, I won't pay to see a movie that has this whiner in it. I say let the director have the actor he wants. Mel is too talented to be kept down. He is not violent (unless you believe that money hungry beoch) and all of us would sound nuts if we were secretly taped when at our worst.

It's cute and all that you got to use the line "pot calling the kettle black" but its more like pot calling the wife-beating, jew-hating megalomaniac what he is, a wife-beating, jew-hating megalomaniac.

Sure, the two are quite different. I'm not saying Mel's a good guy or Zack's not, but before you tout Galifinakis' high moral standards too loudly, understand that this man, who supposedly didn't want to work with Mel Gibson (who hasn't been convicted of domestic abuse or anything related to it) apparently has no problem working with Mike Tyson, a convicted rapist.

Matt, how is that calling the kettle black? Gibson goes on a tirade cussing and threatening people, and hating on the Jews, and everytime you turn around he's hammered drunk, and making an ass out of himself, and Zach fires up a doob. So again, how is that calling the kettle black?

He didn't want Gibson because Gibson is a bad, mean-spirited person (and an overrated actor to boot). Not that I do it myself, but I don't see what the problem was with Galifanakis smoking up on Bill Maher.

Illegal? Please. Everyone knows how ridiculous the law is, when alcohol and tobacco is legal because of lobbyists. Law isn't always common sense. There's a law on the books that says it's illegal to eat a pickle on Tuesdays in Trenton NJ. That's why there are smart propositions to change laws.

you people doknow that "pass the dutchie" is about A pot... not about THE pot. its a cooking song. the original song that this is a cover of, "pass the koutchie" is, in fact, about weed. the cute, steel drum-ridden song by Musical Youth is about a cooking pot. the dutchie pot. hence the line "how does it feel when you got no food"
and now you know.

"in fact, about weed. the cute, steel drum-ridden song by Musical Youth is about a cooking pot. the dutchie pot. hence the line "how does it feel when you got no food"
and now you know."

This is correct, your one of the few people I've met that understands this. I am often explaining this as well.

(Giving away my general age) I have the original (LP) album and it no the word food is not changeded to weed. I still ahve the album and play the song every now and then and sing along. Listen to all the words and it is rather obvious that they are singing about hunger, whether that is due to "the munchies" can be argued but the song is definately about not having enough to money to eat.

John,
did you even read prop 19? It says clearly in the text that prop 19 "Prohibits people from possessing marijuana on school grounds, USING IT IN PUBLIC, smoking it while minors are present, or providing it to anyone under 21 years old."

Eric Ericcson, you were dumb to begin with, and currently dumb as well thinking that as simple a drug as marijuana can make you dumb. You need to look at yourself, not some plant. People like you are the problem.

To John with the alergic wife, Read the propostion, you are only allowed to smoke it in your house. So unless you plan on puffing your wife will be fine. By way, how did your wife find out she was allergic to marijuana smoke? hmmm?

@John - I am allergic to smoke in general, but feel that the current laws on smoking and the public's health go far enough to protect me when I am at a restaraunt/bar/work/etc. I completely empathize with you, as I've had numerous ER visits for allergic reactions to smoke. But the benefits of legalizing marijuana, which include reducing crime and increasing tax revenue, far outweight any detrimental effects.

This is great, but it is sad that only a comedian has the gumption to show what the prohibition of marijuana actually is- absurd. The War on Drugs was illconceived and an utter and costly failure. Grow domestic and grow the economy while reducing violent drug crime. The government and the uneducated masses have no right to tell me what substances I can and can't put in my body, just as I have no right to go to your house and tell you what you can have for dinner.

Here is what I don't get about these pro-MJ people.. First you already know that Holder said just recently that he is coming for your weed growers in CA regardless of whatever laws you pass at the local level.. Secondly, you voted for Barry and in effect put Holder in the position he is now, which will so be the gardens of these medical MJ growers... But when I ask these same people how they feel about Holder... They are like.. He's cool man.. Like he isn't going to go through with what he is saying or something.. It's strange. The democrats are coming for your weed guys.. Not republicans.. Why would you vote for a democrat if that is a fact? How do you explain this to yourselves if you are pro-weed?

I thought the Clinton era was bad.....Way to go, Obama......There is no class, no rule......Revelation? Uh, yea...just a little bit.....

You equate the legalization of Marijuana with the biblical end times? That seems rational. You also blame this on Obama even though the feds have stated they will still conduct raids and prosecute. If this passes it won't be because anybody in Washington wanted it to, but because a majority of voters wanted it. I guess you forgot we live in a Democracy where voters are supposed to decide whats best.

I still think Kenny took it :) Heaven knows he has had a 'troubled' childhood . . .

And as for John at 9:17 PM, whose kids were watching this garbage? Dude, what were YOU smoking?

I have known 5 friends killed in separate drunk driving accidents, and know of several others. I also think alcohol is light years beyond dope in any measure of damage to society. How many people made a fool of themselves at the Xmas party because they smoked a joint? How many people go to work with blinding hangovers because of pot?

Vote yes, it will be regulated and taxed, thus, creating nice revenue for the state of California. Keep in mind that it will remove lots of little wanna-be drug dealers from our local schools and streets as well.